Means for preventing the dilution of sugar bearing materials



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INVENTOR C. A. OLCOTT By ATTORNEY Patented Sept, 2, 1941 MEANS FOB, PBEVENTING THE DILUTION I F SUGAR BEARING MATERIALS Charles Olcoit, West Milford, N. J.

Application April 15, 1939, Serial No. 268,004 Y 1 claims. A(ci. 121-17) This invention relates to the processing' of sugar bearing materials and more particularly to methods and means of preventing the dilution of sugar bearing materials during processin temperature conditioning from passing into the materials when a leak occurs in the coil through which the uid medium circulates.

, Y Crystallizers and mixers employed in conditioning sugar bearing materials within a limited tempera-ture range ordinarily include coils of the rotating type through which hot water circulates to impart the required heat energy for' attaining the desired temperature range. It is of paramount importance that the concentration of the material be maintained before extraction of the' sugar in the centrifugal machine and that no water be introduced to dilute the sugar precipitated throughout the material. At times, a leak occurs in the coils of the mixer or crystallizer. Leaks in the coils of crystallizers or mixers are caused principally by two conditions. Due to the viscous consistency of the magma or other sugar bearing materials, the rotating coils are subjected to considerable strain. While the coils may be designed to be strong enough to withstand the strain resulting from the stirring of the sugar bearing material of normal consistency,

at' times they revolve in more viscous material. For example, due to the low temperature of the material introduced in the crystallizer or mixer, or some deficiency of the heating apparatus, the viscosity' of the material may be substantially greater than that for which .the

coils are designed. The excessive strain resulting from this condition frequently causes leaks "vat the joints of the coils. Another cause of leaks is corrosion, which at times is quite rapid, by the vsugar bearing materials, particularly those of the lower grades. The leaks lmay be B. An object o1' this invention is -to insure the large or small. If they are large, excessive dilution of the particular charge of material in the mixer or crystallizer immediately results. If they are small. many times they are not perceptible to casual inspection and over a. period of days or weeks the amount of water leaking from the coils is suiliclent to dissolve a considerable amount of sugar although the rate of water passing into the sugar bearing material may be relatively small. Whether large or small, leaks in the coils of the apparatus used in the processing of sugar bearing material involve a decided economic loss.

In accordance with this invention, the usual resulting consequence of leaks occurring in the coils employed for the heating of sugar bearing materials, whether they be in the mixers, crystalizers, or other containers, are Substantially avoided. The -iluid medium, such as hot water, which ordinarily circulates through .the coil is maintained at such a. pressure with respect to that of the sugar bearing material immediately adjacent to the coils that when a. leak occurs in the coils, the fluid medium tends to remain in the coils and, if anything, the sugar bearing material tends to flow into the iluid medium. Preferably, the pressure of the ud medium is approximately equal to or slightly less than Y the other hand, if the pressure inside the coils were higherthe condition which prevails in systems of the prior art-the water or 'other uid medium would tend to flow into the mate-` rial. This tendency is increased by the mobility of the fluid medium such as water and the viscous nature of the sugar bearing materiaL,l a much greater quantity of water, for example, being capable of passing into the material for a particular size orifice and particular differential in pressure than that of the material into the water. in the crystallizer is relatively near the top level of material in the tank when the tank attains its full capacity. In these mixers, crystallizers, or other devices employed in the processing of sugar, material is constantly withdrawn and new additions made thereto. Accordingly, when the level of the material falls, the pressure of the material in proximity to the coils is reduced. When these conditions are present, the pressure of the fluid medium, in accordance with this Sometimes the height of the coils invention, is also reduced to insure-that the iiuid medium does not leax into the magma.

In a specific embodiment, the pressure oi' water circulating through the rotating coils employed for the temperature vconditioning of sugar bearing materials is maintained at a pressure not in excess of that of the magma immediately adjacent to the coils by setting a predetermined level for the water in the tank, supplying'the water to the coils andv locating the pump ordinarily required to insure the circulation of water in the system so that it does not contribute to any increase in the pressure of the water in the coils. I'he pump, which in systems of the prior art increases the pressure of the water in the rotating-coils, is, in accordance with this invention; located in the return pipe line from the coils to the tank. In the4 embodiment, it not only cannot cause any increase in the pressure of the water within the coils, but actually lowers the pressure of the water therein by establishing a reduced pressure in'the return line.

A more comprehensive understanding of the invention is obtained by reference to the accompanying drawing which represents apparatus employed in a specic embodiment of this invention.

A tank III is normally filled with Water II or some other fluid medium. The water is heated by a plurality oi' coils I2 through which steam passes. The steam is admitted through a valve I3 controlled by a thermostat Il. The valve I3 is adjusted so that suiiicient steam is admitted to the coils I2 to insure that the hot water in the tank I is within a desired temperature range. Water is supplied to the tank IIi as required from a source not shown. The water is maintained in the tank I0 at a predetermined level by means oi.' this supply and an overow pipe I5. When the water in the tank I0 rises above the predetermined level, the excess passes out of the pipe I5. 'I'he means of vsupply of water is provided with a device such as a oat valve which insures that water is supplied to the tank whenever the water iI falls below a predetermined level. The critical level is, of course, determined by the position of the overiiow pipe I5 and the regulation of the supply of water to the tank. In the embodiment shown in the drawing, the tank I0 is supplied with water whenever the level falls below that of the overiiow pipe I5 andy any excess is quickly disposed of through that pipe.

From the tank III the hot uid medium such as hot water passes through a conduit or pipe I6 to a valve I1 and then through a conduit or pipe I 8 to a plurality of rotating stirring coils I9 located in a tank 20 in which magma, massecuite, or other sugar bearing material 2| is contained.

The rotating stirring coils may be constructed in accordance with the system described in the copending application of applicant Serial No. 160,178, led on August 20, 1937. The rotating coils I 9 are xedly attached to a hollow shaft 22 supported by two bearings 22 and 24. A bame or wall 25 serves to direct the water from the conduit or pipe I9 to the outer coils initially as described in the above stated application o! applicant. 'I'he shaft 22 is rotated by a worm wheel 26 and a worm gear 21 driven by some suitable source of power not shown.

From thehollow shaft 22, the water or other 28 vtoa valve 29. through a conduit or pipe 30 to a pump 3| and thence through a conduit or pipe 32 to the tank I0. Unlike the usual arrangements in system for the conditioning of sugar bearing material,

. crease the pressure of the water within the coils I9 by establishing a partial vacuum or reduced pressure in the return line.

The level of the water II is preferably ar- `ranged so that the pressure of the fluid medium of the coils I9 and the action of the pump 3| in the return line. Both the height of the water in the tank I0 and the rate at which the pump 3i functions are readily adjusted to control the supply of water to the coils I9 -to impart sufficient heat energy to the magma in the light of the known tempo of the charging of cold magma and the dischargingof the temperature conditioned magma to insure that the discharged material is within the required temperature range. The height of the hot Water in the tank I0 is adjusted by fixing the overiiow pipe I5 at a particular position to achieve this end and the rate of Vrotation of the pump usually operated by an electric vmotor can readily be controlled. Preferably, the tank I0 is located at a height with respect to the rotating coils so that the desired pressure of water in the coils can be obtained. 'I'he pressure of the hot water in the coils I9 does not exceed that of the magma immediately adjacent thereto. It is desirable that the water 1 at any point inthe coils I9 be at a pressure which nuid medium passes through a conduit or pipe does not exceed that of the magma or other sugar bearing material immediately adjacent thereto when the level of the material 2I in the tank 20 is at the lowest depth ordinarily encountered in the operation of thetemperature conditioning apparatus. lli/"1th such a system, inasmuch as the approximate densities of magma and water are about 1.5 and 1.0 respectively, the pressure of the water does not exceed that of the magma regardless of its height above the minimum depth. When a leak occurs in the coils I9, since the pressure of the hot water therein does not exceed that of the magma immediately adjacent thereto, the magma or other sugar bearing material flows into the coils and the magma is not diluted.

It is preferred that the pressure of the water or other iiuid medium in the coils, although not in excess of that of the magma immediately 'I'he water is transmitted.

. sight glass 6l. means of detecting the presence of 'a leak vissugar bearing material is preferably at a minimum, always, of course. maintaining the pressure of water in the coils not in excess of that of the magma immediately adjacent thereto. A

Means are provided for detecting the presence of a leak in the stirring coils I9.

ually, particularly when low grade magmas are being conditioned in the tank 20. A beam of light may be arranged to pass through the `sight. glass to a photo electric cell which in turn actuates a visual signal, such as a red light, or an audible signal, such as anl electric bell. The design yo1? the photo electric cell land the intensity of the light are such that when the water,

is discolored due to a leak, the signal is operated. Alternately, electrodes may be placed in any part of the circulating hot water. The electrodes are connected to an electric circuit for the operation of a visual or audible signal. Since the conductivity of the water is markedly increased .by the presence of a small amount of the sugar bearing material, a greater amount of current ilows between the electrodes when a leak occurs in the stirring coils. The electrical current to which the electrodes are connected is adjusted to actuate the warning signal when the water in the circulating system is contaminated by the presence of a small amount of sugar bearing material. While the sight glass 6I or the electrodes may be located in any part of the circulating system, it is preferred that they be placed in the return line from the stirring coils I9 to the tank Ill.

In the event that the level of the sugar bearing material in the tank 29 is lowered to a depth at which, normally, the pressure in the coils I9 due to the height of the water in thetank I and the operation of the pump 3| exceeds that of the material, provision is made to reduceA the pressure in the coils I9 in response to this lowering. The sugar bearing material is supplied to the tank 20 through a pipe or conduit 33 and valve 34. After conditioning, it is withdrawn through one of a plurality of valves 35 and 36. Ordinarily, the magma 2| in the tank 20 is maintained at a constant level. Onoccasion, however, due to the withdrawal of. the materialfrom the tank, the level of the magma 2| falls below that at which the pressure of the water circulating in the coils I9 is lower than that of the magma or other sugar bearing material immediately adjacent thereto. For example, if the tank 20 is a mixer and a crystallizer supplying the mixer has been emptied, there may be some delay before a new crystallizer is opened to discharge the magma or other sugar bearing material into the mixer 20. During this interval, the centrifugals into which the sugar bearing material 2| is discharged are in continuous operation and the level of the magma in the mixer is substantially lowered. Under these conditions, the pressure of the sugar bearing material 2I in proximity to the coils, which isnormally greater than that of In the embodiment shown in the drawing, this means comthe water in the coils, would vbe less as a result of the lowering of the sugar bearing material 2|. Should a break exist in the coils I9 under these conditions, the water therein would tend to ow into the sugar bearing material 2|. To

avoid dilution of the sugar bearing material v terial 2| falls below a predetermined depth. A

iioat ball 31 is adapted to iloat on the surface of the magma 2| in the tank 20. Fixedly attached to the oat ball 31 is a rod 38 joined at one end of a lever 39 by means of a pintle 40. The lever39 turns about a fulcrum 59 supported by a bracket 4I xedly attached to the tank 20 by means of a bolt 42.l The other end of the lever 39 is attached to one end of a rod 49 by means of a pintle 44. The other end of the rod 43 forms a right angle to control by the vertical movement thereof a switch arrn 45. A support 45 serves to guide the movement ofthe rod 43. The switch arm .45 is adapted to engage a contact 41 to connect a source of power 48 to a solenoid 49 associated with the valve I1 and another solenoid 59 associated with the valve 29.

The solenoid 49 actuates a piston 5I xedly at- Y tached to a valve head 52. The valve'head 92 engagesa valve seat 53 to stop the ilow of hot water to the coils I9. The valve head 52 is nor- 'mally biased to engage the seat 53 by means of a helical spring 54 which surrounds the piston 5I'. AThe valve head 52 is held out of engagement with the seat 53 by the energ'ization of the solenoid 49.l 'I'he energization of the solenoid 50 actuates a piston 55` iixedly attached to the valve head 56 of the valve 29. The valve head 56 engages a valve seat 51 to stop the ow of water from the pipe 28 to the pipe 30. vThe valve head`56 is biased to engage thevvaive sea't 51 by a helical spring 58 which encircles the piston 55. The energization of the solenoid 50, however, results in the disengagement of the valve head 5B from the valve seat 51 to permit the ow of water from -the coils I9 to the tank I Il.

The switch arm 45 is arranged so that when the oat ball 31 falls below a predetermined level, it is disengaged from its associated contact 41 to withdraw the sourceof power 48 from the solenoids 49 and 50 to close respectively valves I1 and 29. As a result, no vwater flows from the tank I0 to the coils I9 nor from the coils I9 to the tank' Illand the pressure created by the water in the tank I0 is removed. 'Ihe pressure of the water in the coils I9 is materially reduced so that, in the event of a break in the coils under these conditions, it does not exceed that of the sugar bearing material even though the level of the material is lowered. The dotted conguration of oat ball 31', rod 38', lever 39', rod 43', and switch arm 45' represents the position of iloat ball 31, rod 38, lever 39, rod 43 and switch arm 45 respectively when Athe magma 2I has fallen below the predetermined level. When the height of the magma, 2| rises above the predetermined level, the switch arm 45 engages its associatedcontact 41 to connect the source of power 48 for the energization of solenoids 49 and 50. Hot water again ows from the tank I0 head 52 from its associated valve seat II 'and the valve head 58 from its associated valve seat Al.

If a break occurs in the coils Il and the level v of the sugar bearing material 2i is above the liredetermined depth for which the switch arm 4l isadjusted, the pressure of the water in the coils I9 is such thatno appreciable quantity thereof flows into the sugar bearing material 2i. Ii' the depth of the magma or other sugar bearing material 2| is below the predetermined level, the pressure of the water in the coils I9 is reduced due to the closing of the vvalves I1 and 29 and the water in the coils I9 does not flow into the sugar bearing material since the pressure of the water in the coils I9 does not exceed that, of the material. Under these latter conditions, the requirement of heat for the sugar bearing material is substantially less than thatnecessary when medium through said coil at a pressure 'not in excess of that of said material immediately adiacent to said coil when said material is at approximately a predetermined level in said container, and means, responsive to the lowering of the material below said predetermined level, for reducing thepressure ofthe fluid medium in said coil.

2. In a. systemfor the processing of sugar from sugar bearing material comprising a tank Y for containing said material, means for conditioning said material to attain a limited temthe tank is full, since no cold material is flowing into the tank from the supply pipe 33 and the, amount of the material in the tank is substantially reduced. 'Ihe predetermined level of the magma is preferably the point at which the sugar bearing material 2| adhering to the coils when in their rotation they rise above the surface thereof is in danger of caramelization or substantial injury. ,In this manner, two results are eil'ected: one, the prevention' of any substantial dilution of the sugar bearing material due to a break in the rotating stirring coils when the level ofthe material drops to a low depth in-the tank: and the other, the avoidance of destruction of the sugar bearing material due to the overheating thereof.

Means other than those specically shown in the embodiment illustrated in the drawing may be employed for effecting a pressure of the fluid medium which prevents the dilution of the sugar bearing material. For example, a reduced pressure on the hot water I I in th'e tank I0 may be \used by means of vacuum apparatus instead of atmospheric pressure as utilized in the specic embodiment described. Then, too, other uid medium such as steam may be utilized for circulating through the coils I9 and the pressure thereof adjusted to less than that of the magma or other sugar bearing material in the tank.`

Further, other instrumentalitiesmay be used forI insuring the reduction of pressure oi' uid medium in the coils I9 when the level of the magma falls below a predetermined depth.' For example, the pressure diaphragm shownin Fig. 3 ofi the copending application of applicant, Serial No. 261,185, filed March 1l, 1939, or the mechaniperature change therein including means adapted for rotational movement within said tank and providing a surface in 4heat exchange relation with said material, supply means for supplying a fluid medium in heat exchanging relation to said surface and at a normal pressure not in excess of the said material within said tank, and means, responsive' to the lowering of the level of said material in said tank below a predetermined level, for reducing the pressure of the uid medium on said surface.

3. In a systemfor ,the processing of sugar from sugar bearing material, a tank for containing said material, a rotating hollow member within said tank having an extensive surface in heat exchange relation with said material, supply means for supplying a fluid medium to the interior of said member at a pressure not in excess of that of said material at said surface and means, responsive to 'the lowering of the level of said material to substantially that height at which said material adhering to said surface rises above the level of said material is materially damaged, for controlling' the supply of the iiuid medium to said member and for reducing th v pressure of said medium.

cal arrangement shown in Fig. 1 of that application has been illustrated and described, various modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In a system for the conditioning` of sugar bearing material, a containerl for said. material, a coil rotatable within saldil container for heating said material. meansr for circulating a iluid 4. In a system for the procsing of sugar from sugar bearing material, a tank for containing said material, rotating coils seated within said tank ln heat exchange relation with said material, means for circulating a fluid medium through said coils at a pressure approximating that of said material but not in excess of that of said material immediately adjacent to said coils, control means for reducing the circulation of iluid mediumV in said coils and means, responsive to a decrease in the depth of said material below a predetermined level, for actuating A said control means.

5. In a system for the processing of sugar from sugar bearing material, a tank for containing said material, a hollow rotatable member in said tank providing an extended surface in/heat exchange relation with said material, means for supplying a'iluid/medium to the interior of said member at a pressure not in excess of that of said material immediately adjacent to said surface, said means including a container for the storage of the fluid medium in which the iiuid medium is subjected to atmospheric pressure and maintained at a substantially constant level above that of the said material in said tank, and a pump for circulating the fluid medium to and from said member without increasing the pres sure of the fluid medium supplied to said surface, said pump beingpositioned to withdra said uid medium from said member.

6. In a system for the processing of sugar from sugar bearing material, a 'tank for containing said material, a heating coil in said tank having a iluid medium circulating therein, means for rotating said coil, a pump for withdrawing the iluid medium from said Coil, a container open to the atmosphere for receiving the iluid medium withdrawn from said coil and for supply-- ing the iluid medium to said coil, the level of the fluid medium in said container being higher than the normal level of said material in said tank but not suicient to cause a pressure in an'y part of said coil in excess of the static pressure of said material surrounding that part of said coil, and means for reducing the pressure of the said fluid medium within said coil; said lastmentioned means being responsive to a drop in the level of said material substantially below for rotating said coil. a reservoir for heating iiuid and means for circulating said heating fluid from said reservoir through said coil and back to said reservoir, said last-mentioned means comprising a pump in'the return to said reservoir, means for maintaining the heating iiuid in said reservoir at such level above the normal magma level in said tank thatithe normal static pres,-

said normal level, whereby said fluid medium is maintained constantly at a pressure such as to inhibit leakage thereof into said material.

7. A hot mingling system for the temperature conditioning of sugar magma or the like comprising an open tank for containing, the magma. a heater-stirrer coil within said tank and means 

